Northern Ireland MLAs have been summoned to meet at Stormont on Monday 21 October to debate.
Robin Newton MBE MLA, Speaker of then Assembly has written to local political representatives requesting their attendance at the chambers to debate the abortion legislation for Northern Ireland.
Mr Newton said that Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Ministerial offices will also be elected.
He said: “Having received a valid notice, in accordance with Standing Order 11, the Assembly is hereby summoned to meet on 21 October 2019.
"In the absence of a Business Committee, I will determine the time at which the sitting will start in consultation with the party whips and representatives when they meet at 12noon on Friday 18 October 2019 after which an Order Paper will issue. However, Members may wish to note that it is anticipated that the Assembly will sit at 12noon.
"The purpose for which the Assembly has been summoned to meet is: That the Assembly should meet on Monday 21 October 2019 for the purpose of electing a Speaker and Deputy Speakers, to fill Ministerial offices and to debate the following motion: That this Assembly agrees that the legislative position on abortion in Northern Ireland will most appropriately be determined by the Northern Ireland Assembly."
MPs at Westminster voted in July to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland if Stormont is not back up and running before October 21. It was said that if the Executive is not back to work by then Northern Ireland Secretary of State Julian Smith is mandated to have the new regulations in place by March 31 next year.
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